Lawn Tennis,

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 78, 28 September 1907, Page 18

Lawn Tennis,

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The opening day of the season for the Wellington, Newtown, and Brougham 'Hill Clubs was fixed for to-day, and when the ice is broken, members are expected to settle down seriously to regular practice, in view of the interclub matches. Most of the clubs give extra encouragement to their members, by starting club events at once, which is a very good idea, as it promote* keenness. Most of the players who intend competing at the New Zealand championship meeting have been in quiet practice for some time, and any player who intends entering for "doubles" should at once secure a partner, and start practice, » with Uia; wonderful factor — combination — in \iew. It is likely that Peacock and Fisher will have a go at the New Zealand Doubles, and if they can strike past form | should be a hot pair. Thty won the championiship in 1901 and 1902. Misses Nunncley and Travers have also paired, • and wilJ take son-a beating in the ladies doubles, shojlJ they combine at all well. Miss !v;llet Baker, thfe New South Wales player, is anxious to have another try at the New Zealand championships, and it is quite possible that the Sydney lady, with her partner, may cause a surprise in the doubles. , 4 • The New Zealand banner has arrived in Wellington, and will bo presented to the Wellington Association at tho annual meeting of the governing body. Wellington has now had five successive wins, and Canterbury holds second place of honour, with wins in 1899, 1900, and 19Q1. The banner was 'presented to the . Now Zealand Association in 1899 by Mrs. H. 31. Gore, who has always been a 1 very keen enthusiast. The Wellington Club has secursd the services of Mr. W. Fraser as hon. Secretary, and is to bo congratulated, as without doubt he is the right man \a the right place. If members will only follow his lead in matters of management,- the club cannot, but 'flourish, as all his arrangements will be based on up-tc-dale lines, with the one in viow, and that is— equal treatment to all players in every department of the sport, which will give the natural result — a flourishing strong club. Several new clubs are spoken of this ceaoon, but the one obstacle is grounds. Che sooper the association secures the right to play on some of the leserves the better, as no doubt the persons who are forming clubs would be only too pleased to take over, and maintain any of the portion* allotted. % The twenty-first annual meeting of tho Now Zealand Association is to hn held at Thomson and Brown's rooms, corner of Featherston and Hunter-streets, on Monday next. It is easily seen that the sport is going ahead, as, by the report, the committee approved of 'twenty-one tournaments last, seasou. A long order paper has to be dealt with. The- most important motion, so far as the sport' is concerned, is tho one to abolish the challenge- round in all matches. Challenge rounds are not now played in New Zealand, but tho idea is to have tho challenge round in tho All England Championship rubbed out. The players south of the Line are now in the- happy position to firjht this question, as Jirookes, of Victorio, is the holder.' Another important point is, how shall players "be drawn for competing in tournament matches? ' At present all tho names are dropped into a hat, and are drawn out by chance. It often happens that thebest men aro all in one-half of the draw, and the best matches take place in tho early rounds. When it comes to the final, sometimes the rtthner'-trp', l! ' ; wsK>, takes tho second prize, is ''about the fifth or sixth player in order of merit in the competition. The- idea now is that power should be given to the Drawing Committee to arrango the draw so that the beUer players are equally in the top and lower hnlf of draw. Another point that is also asked for is, that the committee have power to arrango players, so that club members, 0r, ., as the case may be, players in the same districts, do not meet in the- first itiund. It is very annoying for a player, say, from the Dunedin Club, to enter for a meeting, say, at Auckland, and on looking at the programme to find that he has to play a member from' his own club. That sort of thing has often happened. Those are the most important alterations, as far as tht spoit is generally concerned, and they should commend themselves to all who have thoroughly thought the matters out. The motion regarding fixed dates for annual meetings of associations and their clubs is very desirable, and is necessary so as to get smooth working generally. Otago's motion, that in all .New Zealand doubles players bo 1 compelled to play with players 'from the province in which they reside, is not progressive. Every one is iiaturally' pleased to see the very best pair win 'in the doubles, and a good player should iiot, through force of circumstancos, be compelled to enter for a New Zealand championship with, perhaps, an indifferent partner. _lf the rule is passed, it means that in some cases good players will not enter at all. The Canterbury Association's motion asking that entries for New ZeaJund events be sent through the secret la'ry pf the lassociation to which tho competitor's club is affiliated has perhaps its' strong side, but 'until all associations drop accepting entries from players themselves, it is wasto of time^ At present there is a rule that entries must bo sent through the hon. secretary of the club to which the player belongs. It the new rule comes into force the player forwards his entry to the secretary of • his club, then it has to go to the secretary of the association to which the club is affiliated, the latter secretary then has to send tho entry on to tho secretary running tho meeting. Good for the revenue, but it seems a rather i"ound-about way ; still, possibly, as Jong as all the secretaries aro active ones, it Ojay be an improvement, and no doubt Canterbury wil> be able to bring strong argument in favour of it. Associations aro asked to submit dates for approval when desiring to play interassociation mutches. This is evidently meant to prevent clashing of dates with any important, tennjs fixture, or. possibly, so that £he governing body enn act as referee in the event of a dispute as to suitable dates. TENNIS ABROAD. The New South Wales Lawn Tennis Association has decided to introduce a. system of district competitions. Of course, some- will kick against the scheme, but the officials of New Souti Wales can foresee a healthier condition of things generally than has existed, and the clubs that have in tho past kept religiously to themselves will now be com polled to give over their players for tho general advancement of the sport, or drop ont of it. Some of- tho clubs ii> Sydney oro composed of only a few players who play .amongst, themselves, but when a* tournament is on, open out, and gonerally "scoop tho pool. ' That will now be stopped to a great extent. It is intended to play all matches on tho association's giound — or as many as possible — and non-members of tho association ground aro to bo charged o.n shilling ground fee for each match played. Balls arc Lo be provided by the association, and ench player will pay Is per month for the use of same. Playprs must be mcinbeib of an affiliated club, and must have resided for' three months Lontinuoualv in the district nrini;

to the date of any match in which they take part. Australasia, in the Davis Cup, scored 648 strokes to the British Isles' 620— a difference of 23, and the former beat America by 31 slrokes in the grand total. It is rather interesting to note that the British Isles' team was three strokes ahead of America, in relationship to Austradasia. A very close thing indeed, but for all that we won it. Dr. Sharp, of New South Wales, got to the semi-final of Nottinghamshire Championship singles, but was beaten by C. P. Dixon, 6—l, 6—4.6 — 4. Dixon beat E. R. Allen (one of the twins) in the final, 4—6, 6—4, 6—l, 6—2. Shaip and Dixon beat the Aliens in the final of the doubles, 3—6, 6—4, 6—3, 6—2. Shar phas now completely recovered from the severe sprain he sustained at Backenham. Mrs. Hillyard and Sharp were unexpectedly beaten by Miss Boucher and C. E. Allen in third round of the combined, 6—l, 2—6, B—6. The winners won the event. In the Nor thumberland championship, Sharp was beaten in the semi-final by A. H. Green, $—4, B—6. Dr. Evans, "of New South Wales, beat Green in the final, '6—2,6 — 2, 6—l,6 — 1, 6—2.6 — 2. Brookes i - etired in the third round to Green. Mrs. Chambers beat Mrs. Sterry, 6—3,6 — 3, 6—2,6 — 2, in the ladies' final, and had at walkover 'in the challenge round, as Miss Sutton (the holder) did not defend the title. Brookes and Sharp b.eat Hillyard and Eaves, 6—3, 6—3, 6—3, in the final of the doubles. . Mrs. Chambers and Hillyard beat Mrs. Hillyard and Brookes in the final of the combined, 7—5,7 — 5, 2—6,2 — 6, 6—3.6 — 3. The latter pair looked winners from the start, but Mrs. Chambers' splendid passing shots slowly but surely tpld their tale. 1 J. C. PcTke, the young Irishman, ■n J ho is reckoned as one of the coming players, beat M. J. G. Ritchie in the final for the chamjHonship of Coventry after a most oxsperate match, 10—8, 7—5,7 — 5, B—6. 1 The "footfault" rule is still Dcin.sr discussed in England and America. Some thing may be done, but there is boundto bo gTeat opposition if any change is suggested that may cause the &arver trouble in the delivery of his service, which he has worked so hard to perfect. Some say that the server has too much advantage now, but it must be remembered that with the "deuce" game he , has to break-through the service of his opponent to secure -'.'game." If the rule, were altered so that the dofibtful Oeryer was compelled to deliver his service, from a position ei>Thte£n inches, behind the base line, it might bring the offenders into line. ,